Tony Romo’s long run with CBS Sports has officially come to an end.
CBS Sports and Romo have mutually agreed to part ways, the network confirmed on Oct. 2, 2026. The decision comes several months after the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was placed on leave following his July arrest in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Romo, 46, had spent nine years working as one of CBS Sports’ most recognizable NFL analysts. His energetic style, detailed football knowledge and sometimes unpredictable commentary made him a familiar voice during NFL broadcasts.
His departure follows a difficult period that began with the July 23 arrest in Wisconsin. CBS initially placed Romo on leave until further notice, with JJ Watt joining Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the network’s lead NFL announcing team.
Months later, CBS confirmed that Romo and the network had decided to go their separate ways.
The news marks the end of a significant chapter in Romo’s career, which began after his retirement from professional football and eventually turned him into one of the most prominent analysts in sports broadcasting.
Tony Romo and CBS Sports Part Ways
CBS Sports confirmed that it had mutually agreed with Romo to end their relationship after nine years.
In its statement, the network thanked Romo for his contributions and wished him well moving forward.
CBS also confirmed that JJ Watt would continue working with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the lead NFL announcing team for the rest of the season.
The network said its other announcing teams would remain unchanged, including the team of Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker and Evan Washburn.
The announcement effectively ended Romo’s tenure with CBS, which had become a major part of his post-NFL career.
For nearly a decade, viewers had watched Romo transition from Cowboys quarterback to television analyst. His career in broadcasting became almost as recognizable as his years on the football field.
Why Was Tony Romo Put on Leave?
Romo was placed on leave by CBS following his July 23 arrest in Milwaukee.
According to the details provided, Milwaukee police stopped Romo after he was traveling on I-43 near a high-rise bridge. Police said he was unable to complete standard field sobriety tests.
The incident happened while Romo was in Wisconsin, his home state, for a golf tournament.
Romo later explained that he had been traveling to pick up his son, who was being cared for by his parents.
CBS announced on July 31 that Romo was on leave from his role until further notice. JJ Watt was subsequently added to the network’s lead NFL broadcast team alongside Nantz and Wolfson.
The leave remained in place before CBS and Romo eventually reached their decision to part ways.
Bodycam Footage Was Released
Bodycam footage from the arrest was later released.
The footage showed Romo after officers pulled him over while he was traveling on I-43 in Milwaukee.
During a field sobriety test, a deputy asked Romo whether he had suffered any recent head injuries or concussions.
Romo responded that he had experienced them over the years but said he had not had one recently.
The deputy also asked whether Romo would take a preliminary breath test.
According to the supplied material, Romo declined, explaining that he had heard from lawyers not to take the test.
The arrest became a significant story because of Romo’s public profile as a former NFL quarterback and prominent CBS Sports commentator.
Romo Later Pleaded No Contest
Romo eventually addressed the incident publicly.
On Sept. 1, he said he had pleaded no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin.
He described the incident as a personal failure and said he took responsibility for what happened.
Romo did not attempt to shift responsibility in his statement. Instead, he acknowledged the situation directly and said that he owned his actions.
His statement also provided personal context surrounding his struggles after his football career.
Tony Romo Spoke About His Chronic Pain
In his statement, Romo discussed the physical problems that followed his NFL career.
He said multiple back surgeries ended his playing career earlier than he had expected and left him dealing with constant, debilitating pain.
Romo said that pain led to a dependence on pain medication.
He then said his efforts to get off those medications led to what he described as an over-reliance on alcohol.
Romo specifically emphasized that he was not offering those circumstances as an excuse for the arrest.
Instead, he called them part of the background to what happened while maintaining responsibility for his actions.
His comments gave the public a glimpse into a difficult period that followed his retirement from professional football.
Tony Romo’s Football Career Ended Earlier Than Expected
Before becoming a broadcaster, Romo spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.
He became one of the best-known quarterbacks in Cowboys history and later moved into broadcasting after retiring from football.
His transition to television was unusually successful.
Rather than taking years to find his voice in the booth, Romo quickly developed a reputation for identifying plays and explaining what quarterbacks might be seeing before the action unfolded.
That skill became one of the trademarks of his CBS career.
However, his departure from CBS now means another major change for the former quarterback.
Romo’s CBS Career Lasted Nine Years
Romo joined CBS Sports after his playing career ended and spent nine years with the network.
His partnership with Jim Nantz became one of the defining parts of his broadcasting career.
Romo was known for his enthusiasm and his ability to explain football strategy in a way that connected with both longtime football fans and casual viewers.
His broadcasting style was different from the more traditional approach associated with many former players.
He often reacted strongly to big plays and tried to explain what might happen before the quarterback made a decision.
That became part of his identity as an analyst.
JJ Watt Took Over the Lead Broadcast Role
During Romo’s absence, former NFL star JJ Watt joined Nantz and Wolfson on the lead NFL announcing team.
CBS has confirmed that Watt will continue in that role for the remainder of the 2026 season.
That means the network has already established its immediate path forward following Romo’s departure.
The rest of CBS Sports’ announcing teams are expected to remain unchanged, according to the network’s statement.
For viewers, the change means that Romo’s familiar voice will no longer be part of CBS’s lead NFL broadcasts.
Tony Romo Also Remains Connected to Golf
Football is not the only sport that has played an important role in Romo’s life since retirement.
He has become an elite amateur golfer and has competed in several high-profile tournaments.
At the time of his Milwaukee arrest, Romo was in Wisconsin for a golf tournament.
Days after the arrest, he withdrew from the Texas State Open in Tyler.
Romo had previously competed in the Texas State Open nine times, making his withdrawal notable within his golf career.
The Cascades Country Club in Tyler confirmed his withdrawal on July 26, according to the supplied report.
Golf has continued to be a significant part of Romo’s life after football, including his participation in tournaments and qualifying events.
Romo Made a Public Appearance in Oklahoma
Before CBS announced his departure, Romo was seen publicly in the Tulsa, Okla., area.
He competed in the pre-qualifying stage of PGA Tour Q-School at The Club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow.
The appearance was notable because it came after his arrest and represented one of his first public sporting appearances since the incident.
Romo’s continued involvement in golf suggests that the sport remains an important part of his post-NFL life.
His future in broadcasting, however, is now less certain following the CBS announcement.
Tony Romo and His Family
Romo is married to Candice Crawford, and the couple shares three sons.
Family was also part of the circumstances surrounding his July arrest. According to the supplied details, Romo told authorities that he had been traveling to pick up his son, who was being cared for by his parents.
Romo has generally kept much of his family life separate from his professional football and broadcasting career.
His marriage and children, however, have remained an important part of his life away from the NFL and CBS.
What Happened to Tony Romo at CBS?
Romo’s departure from CBS came after a sequence of events that began with his July arrest.
First, he was arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
CBS then placed him on leave until further notice.
JJ Watt stepped into the lead broadcast role alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.
Romo later publicly addressed the arrest, saying he pleaded no contest to a civil OWI offense and took responsibility.
Finally, on Oct. 2, CBS confirmed that the network and Romo had mutually agreed to part ways.
The supplied material does not provide further details about the terms of the separation.
What Is Next for Tony Romo?
For now, Romo’s next professional move has not been announced in the supplied details.
His football knowledge and broadcasting experience remain major parts of his professional background, but his CBS career has now ended.
He also continues to have a connection to competitive golf and recently competed in PGA Tour Q-School pre-qualifying.
His future could therefore involve golf, broadcasting or other opportunities, but the provided information does not establish what his next step will be.
It is important not to assume a particular career path without an announcement from Romo or another reliable source.
Tony Romo’s Career Has Entered a New Chapter
Tony Romo’s career has taken another major turn.
After building a successful NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, he moved into broadcasting and spent nine years as a leading analyst for CBS Sports.
That chapter is now over.
His departure follows the July arrest in Milwaukee, the subsequent leave from CBS and his later public statement acknowledging a civil OWI offense.
Romo has said that he takes responsibility for what happened and has also spoken openly about the physical pain and medication issues that followed his football career.
At the same time, he has continued participating in golf, including a recent appearance at PGA Tour Q-School.
For now, the most immediate fact is that Romo and CBS Sports have mutually agreed to part ways.
The former quarterback’s next chapter remains open, while CBS mov